Flaming Hell

Just as we thought that we were getting all the little and not so little niggles sorted out of the blue came a warning of severe danger.

An owner of a similar vehicle as ours has had a catastrophic fire (see photo) it came about as the result of a defect in the refrigerator.

Now I was aware of a recall of the refrigerator (ours is a two door Dometic one) last December and we had contacted the manufacturer giving our model and serial number only to be told that our model was not on the recall list.

Flaming HELL

I've now discovered that the list was altered this April and our unit is on the list. So you can imagine our fears…So I immediately contacted a local Dometic service engineer.

And this below is how easy it is to get things sorted  in the UK when your life is in danger. 

My 1^st email

Hi

I have an R-Vision Trail Light American Motor-home and this unit has a Dometic two door refrigerator Model No RM 2862 Serial No 40403072. On the Dometic web site it has informed me that our refrigeration unit is a potential Fire Hazard and that a recall notice has gone out to get these units fixed ASAP with a simple modification.

We are on site at the Brarfields site just outside of Cheltenham and that you are our nearest service engineer. Could you get back to me ASAP please to let me know if you are able to carry out this recall notice???

Or call me on my mobile XXXXXXXXXX. We are extremely worried as one RV unit has just posted on an RV forum that it has gone up in flames nearly costing the owners their lives.

Local Engineers Reply

Hi Stuart,

Sorry I missed your call this morning.

I am not aware of any recall for a 2 series fridge. The only outstanding recall is for the 7*** series which requires a check on the gas valves. If yours is one of these the information is that they are safe to use on 230V and 12V but there is a potential risk of a gas leak from the gas valve. It is therefore recommended that the gas isolation valve to the fridge should be closed and you should contact Dometic on 0800 3663 8420. They are open from 08.30 to 17.30 Monday to Thursday and 08.30 to 15.30 on Friday.

Dometic are dealing with this recall "in House" and not involving the Area Engineers so I'm afraid i cannot help you in this instance.

My reply to him

Hi

Thanks for the quick reply please see the link below

(The Dometic USA web site link)

I typed in the Model No and the Serial number and it did confirm that my unit needs to be looked at. I was surprised you mentioned 12v as these units only work on mains and Lpg they are not 12v units!

The picture on this forum that recently issued a warning about a fire that occurred while on mains hook up emphasises our concerns as our unit is identical to the one in the photo.

(The link to the Motorhome forum with picture of the fire)

I had contacted Dometic UK last December and they stated that my unit didn't need to be fixed!!! Yet the new information on the web page obviously contradicts this, but that will be no consultation for us if we lose our lives.

At least I have a record warning of our fears.

Thanks

Stuart Smith

His reply

Hi again Stuart,

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I am only kept informed of UK developments from Dometic / Waeco and as yours appears to be a US spec fridge fitted to an import I am unaware of this recall.

You are correct that the US 2 series only works on mains (120V) or gas. I am guessing there must be a transformer fitted to allow the standard electrical fittings to work on 230V.

All i can suggest is that you contact Dometic on the number given first thing tomorrow and they should be aware of the situation and advise accordingly. In the meantime I would avoid using the fridge.

Good luck

My email to Dometic

Dear Sir

I recently contacted you (December 2010) about a recall that was issued on the model of refrigerator I have fitted to my American R Vision Trail Light RV. Model No RM 2862 Serial No 40403072 initially I was informed that the two door model I have was not part of the recall, but I have since found out that it now is part of the recall notice.

I am concerned that this unit could be potentially lethal.

A warning from another R Vision Trail Light user who has had a lucky escape from being burned to death when their Refrigerator caused a fire is published with photo on link below.

See Link

(Link to web site forum with photo)

I have the same vehicle that is shown in the photograph and I would not like to be in the same position. Could you please inform me of what action I should take?

I am onsite at a caravan park just outside of Gloucester. I have contacted the local Dometic service engineer a Mr XXXXXXXXX of XX services but he is unaware of any recall or how to proceed.

My Contact Tel No XXXXXXXX

Your advice will be welcome

Stuart Smith

Dometic's Reply to me

Hello

We have checked and your unit will need a safety check performed. We have a website dedicated to our technical side where you can find manuals, product information, care and servicing tips. From this website you can also find details of our Dometic Approved Network. Which is our nationwide list of service engineers who can carry out both warranty and none warranty work. If you click the “find an engineer” tab and type in your post code you will find all the details you need to contact the engineer. Once you have this you can call and arrange times and a date. If you need to call one of the engineers please have your products model, production and serial number ready as this will help the engineer. Please visit the following website. (link to Dometic and the manuals were for only for the UK models !!!!!)  
Please let us know if you have any questions or queries. Thank you for your enquiry, We hope this information has helped 
Many Thanks

I then forwarded this information to the service engineer after checking as advised above that I had the only service engineer in this area

Hi

I have just received this email back from Dometic.

Which advises that the unit is in need of a safety check and is on a recall list, I have followed their request and you are my nearest service engineer.

Could you please contact me either via email or telephone to arrange a visit ASAP.

Your assistance will help put our minds at rest that we are not in any danger. We are at this site until the Xth of June and will be off to Spain in September where obviously getting an engineer is not an option.

Model No RM 2862 Serial No 40403072

Thanks

Stuart Smith

Conclusion

As of yet we have had no contact from the engineer, so potential life and death situations are treated more relaxed and blasé in the UK

Yet if I was in the USA this is what the American RV owners are offered not only the advice as what was wrong with the refrigerators but are also informed that they will fix it free of charge.

Quote from Dometic USA

“These refrigerators were installed in certain recreational vehicles as original equipment and sold as aftermarket equipment. A fatigue crack may develop in the boiler tube which may release a sufficient amount of pressurized coolant solution into an area where an ignition source (gas flame) is present. This release of coolant under certain conditions could ignite and result in a fire.

There are potentially 926877 units affected.

The vehicle manufacturers will notify owners of recreational vehicles that had the refrigerators installed as original equipment and Dometic will notify the owners of the aftermarket refrigerators. Dometic will install a secondary burner housing free of charge.”

Dometic UK have not bothered to notify owners even though owners have previously contacted them!!! and they only offer a safety check when what is needed is a part replacement!!! Rip Off Britain again?

More Anon